Businesses in Skye and Lochalsh are being encouraged to attend a two-day event next week to find out how broadband can improve their day to day business functions.

'Broadly Speaking - It's Your Business' will be held at the Aros Centre, Portree on 13 and 14 January 2003 and has been organised jointly by Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise (SALE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Maggie Symonds from Calico UK, John Lavender of Highlandecom, and SALE's e-business adviser Alaistar Nicolson will deliver three workshops to lay bare the facts about broadband.

The event has been designed to demonstrate the benefits and e-learning opportunities to be gained from broadband.  Delegates will receive demonstrations on the range of applications that are possible with broadband and receive help to identify the relevance of new applications to individual businesses.

The seminar will mix presentations with practical demonstrations and question and answer sessions. A broadband satellite link will be available for use by participants during the event.

Alaistar Nicolson said:   "Broadband offers businesses a faster means of working, with the possibility of always on internet access.  It is therefore especially important to businesses in remote areas such as this as it allows them to compete on a more level playing field with their competitors in urban areas."

"The event follows on from the successful Broadband for Business roadshow which took place last October.  Uptake for this event has been brisk but there are still a small number of places available at next week's course so I would urge anyone who wants to find out more about broadband to book now."

* To register for your place at the event complete the online registration form at www.hie.co.uk/broadband/courses or call the freephone number on 0800 032 80 80